Olivier DEBRÉ - Still Life (1943) - Oil on canvas, signed

A Rare Early Still Life

Discover this oil on canvas signed by Olivier Debré (1920-1999) and dated 1943. A testament to a pivotal period in the master's journey, this work illustrates the young artist's formal explorations under the influence of synthetic cubism, before his definitive shift towards lyrical abstraction that would bring him worldwide renown.

Painted during wartime, this composition demonstrates Debré's rigor in constructing pictorial space. The sober palette and structured forms recall the lessons of the Grands-Augustins studio and his careful observation of the great masters of Cubism. 

"At twenty-two, I was obsessed with Picasso. The intellectual structure of his research and his truly brilliant discoveries fascinated me. For me, it was about recreating, through a more abstract analysis, a sensitive world" Olivier Debré (exhibition catalog, Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume, 1995, p. 139)

This is therefore a foundational piece, essential for any collector seeking to document the plastic roots of one of the greatest French painters of the 20th century.

Technical Specifications

• Artist : Olivier DEBRÉ (1920-1999)
• Title : Still Life
• Date : 1943
• Medium : Oil on canvas
• Signature : Signed and dated lower left
• Dimensions : H 54 x W 73 cm
• Framed painting
• This work is listed in the Olivier Debré Committee archives. Its publication in the catalogue raisonné will take place according to the editorial schedule for the different series of works.

Condition

The work is offered in its original condition. The canvas is in very good condition. The pictorial layer shows some losses, mainly at the edges, but these do not detract from the qualities of this very beautiful painting.

A condition report is available upon request. 

Studio Cinquante's Take

We are delighted to offer this painting, which contains the seeds of much of the artist's power: the harmony of muted tones, the simplification of forms to get to the essence of the object. The architectural construction, of the bottle for example, achieves a form of monumentality. The luminosity of the glass captured with magnificent economy of means.  This is a rare piece for enthusiasts of "first steps." One already feels the tension and mastery of material that would define Debré's future "Signes-Paysages." Its generous size makes it a painting with a strong presence, ideal for a modern interior seeking to combine art history and character.

For any inquiries regarding this work, its history, or to arrange a viewing, please contact us directly via our form or contact@studiocinquante.com.